Producer Teaching Others to Break a Leg
Written by Shala Hainer Wednesday, August 10 2011
Snapshot: Kacy Andrews, Cofounder, Bigfoot Entertainment 
Balancing family, international travel, and serving as CEO of multiple ventures might seem daunting, but veteran movie and TV producer Kacy Andrews makes it work. As cofounder of Bigfoot Entertainment and the International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT), Andrews brings more than 20 years of entertainment industry experience to building the companies and reaching out to the next generation of filmmakers.
After a recent restructuring at Bigfoot Entertainment, Andrews is now CEO of IAFT based in Cebu, Philippines, allowing her to focus her energies on the school's future. Taking advantage of its diverse group of students, who hail from around the globe, IAFT has the unique ability to produce films in multiple languages to reach several markets. The school has campuses in Cebu, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, and Palm Beach, Fla.
Formerly a producer and project developer for Hyperion Studio, Andrews has worked with Blue Focus Management developing projects for MGM, Disney, and Sony and has worked with Creative Planet and Entertainment Partners. After consulting with Bigfoot Productions, she cofounded Bigfoot Entertainment and IAFT in 2003.
In addition to her work managing IAFT, Andrews has produced such feature films as Deep Gold, Within, and Midnight Movie for Bigfoot. Many of her films were shot, in part, in locations such as Belgium, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Her influence in the Asian entertainment industry is highlighted by her 2006 profile in People Asia magazine's "People of the Year" issue. She serves on the Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation board of directors and volunteers with organizations such as Women in Film and Step-Up. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 2-year-old son.
Womenetics: What led you to work in the entertainment industry?
Kacy Andrews: Movies and TV have been a passion of mine since I was a child. I love the “escape” entertainment can provide, and I wanted to work in a field that could make masses of people happy and entertained with such an escape.
Womenetics: How did you break into producing for television and movies?
Andrews: I moved to Los Angeles for an internship in TV, but I studied TV and film production in both high school and college. My first break came when I was hired at a small independent production company as a production assistant. From there, I worked my way up through the ranks and after many years finally became a producer.
Womenetics: What students are you trying to reach with the International Academy of Film and Television?
Andrews: We are trying to reach vocational students who want to get hands-on experience in film and television, but might not be able to afford the very expensive programs at many other vocational schools. Our programs are about one third the cost of many of the other film programs.
Womenetics: How did you decide on the locations for the IAFT, such as Cebu, Philippines, and Hong Kong?
Andrews: These locations help give us our international status. Hong Kong is where Bigfoot Entertainment, our affiliate company, has its headquarter offices. Cebu is where Bigfoot Studios is located. Asia is booming with new business opportunities, and they are in need of filmmaking schools such as ours.
Womenetics: How do you see IAFT forwarding the careers of women in the entertainment industry?
Andrews: There are not enough women in the entertainment industry in general, but I think IAFT can help more women nurture their talent and encourage them to be successful. We have even discussed gearing some workshops especially for women.
Womenetics: What have you done to set yourself apart in a male-dominated industry?
Andrews: I never give up. It’s all too easy to give up on your dreams when you see men passing you by with seemingly much less effort.
Womenetics: What has been the most important lesson you have learned during your career, and how does that lesson help you today?
Andrews: Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. If you treat people with respect, honesty, and with good communication, they will treat you the same way. As I just left my post as CEO of Bigfoot Entertainment, I received an outpouring of nice letters from my employees that told me how much they appreciated my leadership and other compliments that told me I must have done something right. I just try to be fair and honest with people.
Womenetics: You've recently been working on launching Bigfoot Entertainment's sales arm, Bigfoot Ascendant Distribution. How do you shift gears between your CEO responsibilities, growing the IAFT, and launching the new sales venture?
Andrews: It’s not easy to juggle two ventures, which is why I’m now only focused on growing the IAFT schools. I started almost nine years ago with the IAFT, so I’m happy that I am now able to focus back on the schools 100 percent of my time.
Womenetics: How do you successfully integrate yourself, your company, and ideas in other countries around the globe as a non-native of those countries, some of which aren't used to female executives?
Andrews: Oddly enough, the Philippines is very used to female executives, so I didn’t find it that difficult from the female perspective. Still, it was a challenge to learn how to work within a new culture and new way of approaching things. It takes time. The key is to listen to your employees and try to pick up on the nuances of how to operate best in their country.
Womenetics: What advice would you give women wanting to break, behind the scenes, into the entertainment industry?
Andrews: If you have a true passion for it – go for it! It’s not an easy road to take for either a man or a woman, but if you love it and don’t give up on it, you can succeed.
Womenetics: With international travel and your dedication to volunteerism with groups such as Women in Film and Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation in addition to your CEO duties, how do you make time to relax? What is your favorite way to recharge?
Andrews: Sadly, I don’t relax enough. But I find time to spend with my 2-year-old son and husband, which always recharges me. My family and friends are what make my life worth living. I have fun with them. We travel, visit museums, zoos, and sightsee. I also recently took up boxing, which is a great stress reliever.
Based near Atlanta, Shala Hainer has been writing and copyediting since 1995. Beginning her career at newspapers such as the Marietta Daily Journal and the Atlanta Business Chronicle, she most recently wrote and edited articles for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. She earned a bachelor’s in communications from Jacksonville State University.
